Uniform zinc-ion deposition regulated by thin sulfonated poly(ether ketone) layer for Stabilizing Zn anodes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage due to cost, capacity, and safety.
• Zinc anodes suffer from dendrite growth and corrosion, limiting AZIB performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a protective layer on zinc anodes to mitigate dendrite formation and side reactions.
• To enhance the stability and cycle life of AZIBs.

Main Methods:

• A sulfate poly(ether ketone) (SPEEK) solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) was synthesized using a drop-coating technique.
• The SPEEK SEI was applied to the surface of zinc anodes.
• Electrochemical performance, including plating/stripping cycle life and full battery stability, was evaluated.

Main Results:

• The SPEEK SEI effectively controlled uniform Zn2+ deposition by providing coordination sites.
• The polymer SEI blocked electrolyte penetration and homogenized Zn2+ flux, suppressing dendrites and side reactions.
• SPEEK@Zn electrodes achieved an ultra-long plating/stripping cycle life of 1000 hours at 0.5 mA cm-2, and full batteries showed superior cycle stability.

Conclusions:

• The SPEEK SEI is a simple, scalable solution for high-performance zinc anodes in AZIBs.
• This approach significantly improves the cycle stability and safety of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
• SPEEK modification offers a promising pathway for advancing AZIB technology for practical applications.